“Women in Islam” Journal Launch Khartoum & Nairobi

SIHA Network successfully held several events launching the second issue of the Women and Islam Journal.

On Saturday 20 February 2016 SIHA held an event for at Algeneed Cultural Centre in Khartoum, Sudan. Around 160 people from all social segments participated in the event. The launch was officially started with a speech of the Sudanese poet Aalem Abass presented by Alsir Alsid, a TV and radio broadcaster. Following was a welcoming speech by Khalda Algeneed director and founder of the Alganeed Cultural Center. This was followed by a speech of Hala Alkarib, SIHA’s Regional Director, emphasizing the importance of the substantial efforts and time of all contributors in paving the way for the Women in Islam Journal and the growing movement and social consciousness, contributing to the fight against militant interpretations of Islam, its violent consequences and the gender perspective in it. The evening also featured some readings from the journal, to give inside into some of its parts and to highlight its aim. Sudanese poet Iman Adam further read a poem featured in “Women in Islam” called Feminine Mother which was written by the Somali poet Dahpo. Lastly SIHA presented its latest documentary “Men as Allies against Violence against Women”, participating also in the event where seven of the young men, who participated in the project and documentary film.

On Friday 4 March, SIHA Network launched the Journal in collaboration with Amnesty International in Nairobi. East Africa Director Muthoni Wanyeki, introduced the eveing. Followed by the screening of “Men as Allies” and speeches by Amnesty Secretary General Salil Shetty and Hala Alkarib SIHA Director. The evening continued with readings from the Journal and a discussion on the necessity of approaching religion from a new angle. Justus Nyang’aya Amnesty Kenya Director gave closing remarks and the evening ended with refreshments and disucssions of the 70 attendees.

On Tuesday 8 March, International Women’s Day, SIHA presented the Journal at the Netherlands Ambassadors house in Khartoum. Involving a film screening of a documentary on a Sudanese women’s football team and their contributions to breaking with gender roles and stereotyping. The Ambassador and Hala AlKarib gave speeches on the situation of women and human rights in Sudan as well as readings and live music.

On Monday 14th SIHA Network SIHA held another event at the Alliance Francaise in Nairobi. The evening featured a panel discussion with Hussein Khalid, Hala Alkarib and Shirleen Njoroge on women’s rights and the intersection between culture and religion. The evening was closed by a film screening of Moolade by the late Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene, on FGM and the intersection of culture and religion in Senegal.